A Sarmat missile exploded in the Orenburg region of the Russian Federation: details of another failure.

According to ТСН: In the Orenburg region of Russia, near the city of Yasnoye, an accident occurred during the launch of a missile. After launch, the missile quickly lost thrust, fell, and exploded, creating a bright purple cloud in the sky. This was likely another attempt to test the RS-28 'Sarmat' intercontinental ballistic missile, which has already experienced numerous catastrophic failures.

Videos published on Russian social media show the missile rising only a few dozen meters, sharply changing its trajectory, and exploding, sending up a thick cloud of an unusual color. This color is associated by experts with the use of toxic fuel - a mixture of nitrogen tetroxide and asymmetric dimethylhydrazine ('amil' and 'heptyl').

Such propellants are used in a number of Soviet and Russian rockets, specifically in 'Protons,' which also experienced accidents accompanied by purple smoke.

Reasons for suspicion regarding 'Sarmat'

The incident occurred near the launch base 'Yasniy', which is part of the Dombarovskaya division of the Strategic Missile Forces. Here, R-36M2 'Voeyvoda' ('Satan') missiles are stored and launched, and tests of their successor – the RS-28 'Sarmat' ICBM – are conducted.

Previous tests of the 'Sarmat' in September 2024 ended with an explosion in the silo at the Plesetsk cosmodrome, destroying the launch complex. This incident may have prompted the Russian military to move the next tests to the 'Yasniy' range.

Statements from local authorities

Russia has not announced any space launches or exercises of strategic nuclear forces. After the incident, local media were advised to contact the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for comments, but the agency did not provide any explanations.

Despite the bright explosion and the release of toxic smoke, Russian authorities assured that 'there is no threat to the population' and that evacuation is not planned. According to some eyewitness accounts, the missile exploded in the air before reaching a significant altitude, causing a bright flash and scaring onlookers. Witnesses reported a strong bang and a cloud resembling a 'mushroom.'

This incident underscores the problems facing the Russian defense industry during tests of new missile systems. Dissatisfaction with such frequent accidents is raising concerns in military circles and may impact further developments in strategic weaponry. The translation of such accidents to the 'Yasniy' range may indicate serious difficulties in conducting tests, questioning the readiness of new technologies for combat use.